Background: We previously reported that IL-6 and transglutaminase 2 (TG2) were expressed in more aggressive basal-like breast cancer cells, and TG2 and IL-6 expression gave these cells stem-cell-like phenotypes, increased invasive ability, and increased metastatic potential. In the present study, the underlying mechanism by which IL-6 production is induced in luminal-type breast cancer cells was evaluated, and TG2 overexpression, IL-1&beta; stimulation, and IL-6 expression were found to give cancerous cells a hormone-independent phenotype.

Methods: Luminal-type breast cancer cells (MCF7 cells) were stably transfected with TG2. To evaluate the requirement for IL-6 neogenesis, MCF7 cells were stimulated with various cytokines. To evaluate tumorigenesis, cancer cells were grown in a three-dimensional culture system and grafted into the mammary fat pads of NOD/scid/IL-2R&gamma;&minus;/&minus; mice.

Results: IL-1&beta; induced IL-6 production in TG2-expressing MCF7 cells through an NF-kB-, PI3K-, and JNK-dependent mechanism. IL-1&beta; increased stem-cell-like phenotypes, invasiveness, survival in a three-dimensional culture model, and estrogen-independent tumor growth of TG2-expressing MCF7 cells, which was attenuated by either anti-IL-6 or anti-IL-1&beta; antibody treatment.

Background: We previously reported that IL-6 and transglutaminase 2 (TG2) were expressed in more aggressive basal-like breast cancer cells, and TG2 and IL-6 expression gave these cells stem-cell-like phenotypes, increased invasive ability, and increased metastatic potential. In the present study, the underlying mechanism by which IL-6 production is induced in luminal-type breast cancer cells was evaluated, and TG2 overexpression, IL-1&beta; stimulation, and IL-6 expression were found to give cancerous cells a hormone-independent phenotype.

Methods: Luminal-type breast cancer cells (MCF7 cells) were stably transfected with TG2. To evaluate the requirement for IL-6 neogenesis, MCF7 cells were stimulated with various cytokines. To evaluate tumorigenesis, cancer cells were grown in a three-dimensional culture system and grafted into the mammary fat pads of NOD/scid/IL-2R&gamma;&minus;/&minus; mice.

Results: IL-1&beta; induced IL-6 production in TG2-expressing MCF7 cells through an NF-kB-, PI3K-, and JNK-dependent mechanism. IL-1&beta; increased stem-cell-like phenotypes, invasiveness, survival in a three-dimensional culture model, and estrogen-independent tumor growth of TG2-expressing MCF7 cells, which was attenuated by either anti-IL-6 or anti-IL-1&beta; antibody treatment.